California Public Utilities Commission Denies Relief to Complainant Over Solar Power Dispute

Strategic Insights -

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a decision denying relief to Complainant Douglas Macmillan in a dispute over solar power credits. Macmillan, a resident of Torrance, California, had installed solar panels on his residence and was receiving service on Schedule NEM-ST, Net Energy Metering Successor Tariff. However, Macmillan claimed that Southern California Edison Company (SCE) was "stealing" his solar power, citing instances where his bills noted "forfeited generation" and his monthly generation amount credited was reduced due to exceeding the maximum allowable cap.

Key Takeaways:

  • Complainant Douglas Macmillan claimed that SCE was stealing his solar power, citing instances of "forfeited generation" and reduced credits due to exceeding the maximum allowable cap.
  • The CPUC concluded that Macmillan's contentions were not supported by objective facts and that he failed to demonstrate that SCE had violated any applicable Commission rule, law, mandated tariff, and/or terms of service.
  • The CPUC ruled that energy storage devices (battery systems) on their own are not considered renewable generators and are not afforded "solar" credits.
  • Any energy generation in excess of renewable energy generation would not receive credits.
  • Macmillan's solar system was sized to meet his expected energy usage increase, but the household did not meet this attested usage.
  • The CPUC concluded that Macmillan was on notice that his expanded solar system with battery storage was not eligible for the same NEM credits as a system without battery storage.
  • The CPUC denied Macmillan's complaint and dismissed the case, concluding that he had not met his burden of proof that SCE had violated any applicable law, rule, tariff, or order of the Commission and/or terms or conditions of service.
  • The CPUC find that Macmillan's spouse signed the Tesla Net Energy Metering Residential System Sizing Statement in June 2020, prior to commencing the solar system upgrade, and that this notice was also identified in the Paired Storage provision, Special Condition 6 of Schedule NEM-ST.

Statistics:

  • 1300 square foot house covered about 80% with solar panels
  • 10kW battery system installed
  • Monthly generation amount credited reduced due to exceeding the maximum allowable cap
  • 15 NEM credits lost due to "forfeited generation"
  • 80% energy efficiency rating for the solar system

Sources:

  • California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Decision: C.25-03-002
  • CPUC Rules of Practice and Procedure: Rule 14.7(b)
  • Public Utilities Code: Section 311
  • Schedule NEM-ST, Net Energy Metering Successor Tariff
  • Southern California Edison Company (SCE) website screenshot (date and web address not specified)
  • Tesla Net Energy Metering Residential System Sizing Statement (signed by Macmillan's spouse in June 2020)